Amherst House

Suffolk, United Kingdom

Per week

from 508.40 to 1193.51 GBP

The Owner / Manager

Cath Catchpole

Member since Oct 2009

Bookings Accepted:100%

Avg. Response Time:

Availability Updated:3 days 8 hours

BFB's Overview

Amherst House is a fantastically high quality conversion of a Grade II listed stable building nestled alongside a cluster of similar cottages within the 800-acres of forest, parkland and farm grounds that makes up the the beautiful Stowlangtoft Estate in Suffolk.

The 3 bedroom cottage has a wonderfully light and bright interior thanks to its double-height central living area with vaulted ceiling and smart and contemporary decor. Guests enter from the communal courtyard, or directly through the patio doors that open onto instantly relaxing views over woodland - best enjoyed within morning coffee or an evening drink sitting on large, decked balcony (safely enclosed). The ground floor living area is very spacious and comprises a useful lobby area, with plenty of room for coats and shoes, a huge and well-equipped kitchen/diner and a comfortable living room with all new furnishings, plus sofa bed. The ground floor is also home to a luxurious shower room with over-sized shower and sensor lighting. Upstairs the space has been cleverly used for two double bedrooms (one with zip'n'link twin/super king) with ample storage and quirky triangular windows, a further family bathroom, with bath and over-bath shower, and, leading on from the double bedroom (separated by a curtain not door), a small third bedroom ideal for a cot and a single bed. This room also has a pull-out second single bed, suitable for children to sleep in, and the lack of windows, will be a bonus for those generally requiring blackout blinds for a restful sleep! Vintage-style bunting and furnishings make it a charming space for mini guests.

The cottage boasts contemporary luxuries in the form of IPod Dock, DVD, Flatscreen TV and WIFI, along with a telephone, wine cooler, dishwasher, microwave and washing machine with the usual appliances in the fully fitted kitchen. The kitchen balcony leads straight onto the semi-walled mature garden, which is shared with two other holiday cottages and therefore ideal for sociable toddlers, whilst the south facing balcony is a great space for parents to enjoy evening dinners and drinks. Add to that a fantastically thoughtful Baby SOS arrival survival kit (see Fast Facts column) handy list of baby and toddler gear, and beautiful woodland setting, and the result is a brilliant rural retreat for any pre-school family!

Location Information

Although wonderfully rural, the cottage is brilliantly convenient too. There's great walking and cycling, with bikes for hire on site, one restaurant in the courtyard (Fri & Sat evenings only) and the Michelin award-winning restaurant and cafe at Wyken Vineyards within 2 miles. Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, and a whole host of fantastically pretty coastal towns and villages are all within a short drive.

The historic market town of Bury St Edmunds is a great place to explore and is just ten minutes away by car. The Abbey Gardens is a lovely stop for the playground and duck feeding, and the leisure centre offers a pirate ship and flumes for the young ones. Family friendly Café Rouge and Pizza Express are centrally located and St John's Street has some great boutiques for kids.

The medieval wool town of Lavenham, and nearby Long Melford, are also close and ideal for antique hunting. Cambridge is 40 minutes away for a great day's shopping, punting or touring. The renowned Suffolk coast with its famously pretty towns of Aldeburgh, Dunwich and Southwold are within a short drive and well worth a visit.

Other nearby attractions include the award-winning Easton Farm Park which is perfect for toddlers and offers animal feeding, petting, egg collecting, horse and cart rides and mini train trips. Banham Zoo, with its brand new giraffe enclosure is an easy drive, and the Africa Alive safari park nr Lowestoft has a fabulous re-creation of the African Savannah.

If babysitting is an option, Bury is home to the Old Cannon Brewery and Brasserie (a lovely brew pub), and Maison Bleue, for superb fish. Further afield is the critically acclaimed The Great House at Lavenham and family friendly Thorpeness Brassiere and Regatta in Aldeburgh. Other recommendations for eating out with little ones in tow include the brilliant field kitchen at Jimmy's Farm (near Ipswich), made famous by the TV show and a great day out in itself thanks to its animals and nature trail - stock up on supplies in the shop too.

Reviews

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You should be aware that the children's bedroom (described as the third bedroom) does not have a door and is separated from the main bedroom by a thin white mesh curtain, allowing all light and sound through. This might be fine for some but did not suit us as we were expecting three separate bedroomsReview dated 08/02/2016

We had a lovely stay at Amherst House-grandparents, parents and 2 young girls. It was a relaxing break in a well-equipped cottage with beautiful surroundings.Review dated 31/08/2013

We had the most wonderful time. The cottage was warm and cozy making up for the very damp October weather. The beds are fabulously comfortable meaning our toddler slept so well and gave us a lie in every morning! Thank you for providing such a relaxing holiday.Review dated 05/11/2012

There are a few steps to the exterior to the property to watch out for. The upstairs of the cottage was very warm in hot weather.Review dated 19/08/2012

We had a superb stay. They left great toys and fantastic books for us. The house was really clean and beautifully furnished with a well equipped kitchen. The house is set on a beautiful estate really well located in Suffolk with so much to do and see in the vicinity.Review dated 28/10/2011

Weve had a lovely stay at Amherst House. Its beautifully presented throughout and weve been extremely comfortable. Weve enjoyed exploring the area, which has looked beautiful in the August sunshine. Thank you for a lovely stay.Review dated 11/02/2010

A fantastic getaway. Very peaceful setting. Harry was entertained by the bags of toys and the local wildlife!!. Must remember to thank the armed services for the fly pasts, almost felt like royalty. Well placed for travelling to many local attractions and really enjoyed Banham Zoo.Review dated 11/02/2010

We have had a truly relaxing and happy holiday in Suffolk, but the house in particular made it even more special. The environment and the local people were a true pleasure. Emily and Max had a great time on the bikes. What a really beautiful place. Many thanks.Review dated 11/02/2010

You should be aware that the children's bedroom (described as the third bedroom) does not have a door and is separated from the main bedroom by a thin white mesh curtain, allowing all light and sound through. This might be fine for some but did not suit us as we were expecting three separate bedrooms

We had a lovely stay at Amherst House-grandparents, parents and 2 young girls. It was a relaxing break in a well-equipped cottage with beautiful surroundings.

We had the most wonderful time. The cottage was warm and cozy making up for the very damp October weather. The beds are fabulously comfortable meaning our toddler slept so well and gave us a lie in every morning! Thank you for providing such a relaxing holiday.

Well equipped, beautiful surroundings, very peaceful, lovely large family kitchen, pretty decor.

There are a few steps to the exterior to the property to watch out for. The upstairs of the cottage was very warm in hot weather.

We had a superb stay. They left great toys and fantastic books for us. The house was really clean and beautifully furnished with a well equipped kitchen. The house is set on a beautiful estate really well located in Suffolk with so much to do and see in the vicinity.

Weve had a lovely stay at Amherst House. Its beautifully presented throughout and weve been extremely comfortable. Weve enjoyed exploring the area, which has looked beautiful in the August sunshine. Thank you for a lovely stay.

A fantastic getaway. Very peaceful setting. Harry was entertained by the bags of toys and the local wildlife!!. Must remember to thank the armed services for the fly pasts, almost felt like royalty. Well placed for travelling to many local attractions and really enjoyed Banham Zoo.

We have had a truly relaxing and happy holiday in Suffolk, but the house in particular made it even more special. The environment and the local people were a true pleasure. Emily and Max had a great time on the bikes. What a really beautiful place. Many thanks.

Parent Rated*

4/5

Overall Experience

Child-Friendliness

Location

Hospitality / Welcome

Interiors

*Ratings by verified BFB guests who stayed here with young children.
Rated by 10 guests.